Systems and methods for dispensing fluid mixtures

Abstract

In some embodiments of a fluid dispensing system: (1) two or more mixing channels are fluidly connected to (a) a mixing chamber fluidly connected to a dispenser, (b) a particular two or more solvent reservoirs, and (c) a respective one or more ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense into a respective one of the mixing channels; and (2) a controller is programmed to receive a request for a fluid mixture, and, in response control the system to: mix, in the mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture, a respective predetermined amount of solvent from each of the particular solvent reservoirs and a respective predetermined amount of the ingredients from some of the ingredient reservoirs; flow, to the mixing chamber and then to the dispenser, the intermediate fluid mixture; and dispense the requested fluid mixture (including the intermediate fluid mixture) via the dispenser.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:
 at least two solvent reservoirs containing respective solvents; 
 a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to the at least two solvent reservoirs and each fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the two or more mixing channels; 
 a dispenser fluidly connected to the mixing chamber; and 
 a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 receive a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture:
 flow a predetermined amount of at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture; 
 flow the intermediate fluid mixture to the mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; 
 flow a second predetermined amount of one of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs to the mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; and 
 dispense the fluid mixture from the mixing chamber via the dispenser. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs is combined in a fluid path between the at least two solvent reservoirs and the two or more mixing channels. 
 
     
     
       3. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein each of the two or more mixing channels is fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 wherein each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense into a respective one of the two or more mixing channels; and 
 wherein two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to dispense into a particular one of the two or more mixing channels. 
 
     
     
       4. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein a width of the particular mixing channel is such that at least some of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents is able to flow through the particular mixing channel around a non-dispensing one of the two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       5. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the flow of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs comprises:
 an initial flow of some of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents; 
 a pause in a flow of the at least two of the respective solvents during the flow of the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and 
 a final flow of a remainder of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the pause in the flow of the at least two of the respective solvents begins before and ends after the flow of the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       7. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the pause in the flow of the at least two of the respective solvents is not as long as a duration of the flow of the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       8. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the fluid mixture in the mixing chamber is heated or cooled by a heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
       9. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the one of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs comprises alcohol. 
 
     
     
       10. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 1 ,
 further comprising an ingredient cartridge; and 
 wherein the ingredient cartridge comprises a pressurized chamber, the pressurized chamber containing the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       11. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the controller is further programmed to control pressure of the pressurized chamber so that pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and 
 wherein the controller is programmed to flow the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by controlling the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       12. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is dispensed via at least one valve into the two or more mixing channels. 
 
     
     
       13. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the controller is programmed to flow the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by opening the at least one valve for a time period based on at least the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       14. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the controller is programmed to flow the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels according to a formula for the fluid mixture. 
 
     
     
       15. A method used in a fluid mixture dispensing system having (a) at least two solvent reservoirs containing respective solvents; (b) a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (c) two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to the at least two solvent reservoirs and each fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture,
 (a) flowing a predetermined amount of at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture; 
 (b) flowing the intermediate fluid mixture to a mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; 
 (c) flowing a second predetermined amount of one of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs to the mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; and 
 (d) dispensing the fluid mixture from the mixing chamber via a dispenser. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 ,
 further comprising, in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, combining, in a fluid path between the at least two solvent reservoirs and the two or more mixing channels, the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the flowing the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs comprises:
 (i) initially flowing some of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents; 
 (ii) pausing a flow of the at least two of the respective solvents during the flowing of the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and 
 (iii) finally flowing a remainder of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 ,
 further comprising, in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, sequencing, by a controller of the fluid mixture dispensing system, the initially flowing, the pausing, and the finally flowing with respect to the flowing of the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 ,
 further comprising, in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, controlling, by a controller of the fluid mixture dispensing system, one or more fluid moving mechanisms to flow the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the one or more fluid moving mechanisms comprise a plurality of electromechanical valves, each of the plurality of electromechanical valves respective to one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the one of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs comprises alcohol. 
 
     
     
       22. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:
 a plurality of solvent reservoirs, each containing a respective solvent; 
 a plurality of ingredient reservoirs, each containing a respective ingredient; 
 two or more mixing channels, each of the two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to (a) a particular two or more of the plurality of solvent reservoirs, and (b) a respective one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense into a respective one of the two or more mixing channels; 
 a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the two or more mixing channels; 
 a dispenser fluidly connected to the mixing chamber; and 
 a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 receive a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, control operations of the fluid mixture dispensing system to produce the requested fluid mixture by:
 mixing, in the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture, (i) a respective predetermined amount of the respective solvents from each of the particular solvent reservoirs, and (ii) a respective predetermined amount of the respective ingredients from each of one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 flowing, to the mixing chamber, the intermediate fluid mixture, wherein the fluid mixture comprises the intermediate fluid mixture; 
 flowing a second predetermined amount of at least one of the respective solvents from the plurality of solvent reservoirs to the mixing chamber; and 
 dispensing the fluid mixture via the dispenser. 
 
 
 
     
     
       23. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is stored in at least one cartridge; and wherein the at least one cartridge is configured to dispense the respective predetermined amount of the respective ingredients from each of the one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs into the two or more mixing channels. 
 
     
     
       24. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 23 ,
 further comprising a plurality of electromechanical valves, each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs respective to one of the plurality of electromechanical valves; and 
 wherein the respective predetermined amount of the respective ingredients from each of the one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is dispensed into the two or more mixing channels via the respective electromechanical valve. 
 
     
     
       25. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 24 ,
 wherein the at least one cartridge comprises a pressurized chamber, the pressurized chamber containing the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and wherein the controller is further programmed to control pressure of the pressurized chamber. 
 
     
     
       26. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 25 ,
 wherein the controller is further programmed to control the dispensing of the respective predetermined amount of the respective ingredients from each of the one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by opening the respective electromechanical valve for a time period based on at least the pressure of the pressurized chamber. 
 
     
     
       27. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 23 ,
 wherein the respective predetermined amount of the respective solvents from each of the particular solvent reservoirs are combined in a fluid path between the particular solvent reservoirs and the two or more mixing channels. 
 
     
     
       28. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:
 at least two solvent reservoirs containing respective solvents; 
 a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to the at least two solvent reservoirs and each fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the two or more mixing channels; 
 a dispenser fluidly connected to the mixing chamber; and 
 a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 receive a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture:
 flow a predetermined amount of at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture; 
 flow the intermediate fluid mixture to the mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; and 
 dispense the fluid mixture from the mixing chamber via the dispenser; 
 wherein the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs is combined in a fluid path between the at least two solvent reservoirs and the two or more mixing channels. 
 
 
 
     
     
       29. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:
 at least two solvent reservoirs containing respective solvents; 
 a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to the at least two solvent reservoirs and each fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the two or more mixing channels; 
 a dispenser fluidly connected to the mixing chamber; and 
 a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 receive a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture:
 flow a predetermined amount of at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture; 
 flow the intermediate fluid mixture to the mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; and 
 dispense the fluid mixture from the mixing chamber via the dispenser; 
 
 
 wherein the flow of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs comprises:
 an initial flow of some of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents; 
 a pause in a flow of the at least two of the respective solvents during the flow of the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and 
 a final flow of a remainder of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents. 
 
 
     
     
       30. A method used in a fluid mixture dispensing system having (a) at least two solvent reservoirs containing respective solvents; (b) a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (c) two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to the at least two solvent reservoirs and each fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture,
 (a) flowing a predetermined amount of at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture; 
 (b) combining, in a fluid path between the at least two solvent reservoirs and the two or more mixing channels, the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs; 
 (c) flowing the intermediate fluid mixture to a mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; and 
 (d) dispensing the fluid mixture from the mixing chamber via a dispenser. 
 
 
     
     
       31. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 28 ,
 wherein the controller is further programmed to flow a second predetermined amount of one of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs to the mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture. 
 
     
     
       32. A method used in a fluid mixture dispensing system having (a) at least two solvent reservoirs containing respective solvents; (b) a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (c) two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to the at least two solvent reservoirs and each fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture,
 (a) flowing a predetermined amount of at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture; 
 (b) flowing the intermediate fluid mixture to a mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture; and 
 (c) dispensing the fluid mixture from the mixing chamber via a dispenser; 
 
 wherein the flowing the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs comprises:
 (i) initially flowing some of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents; 
 (ii) pausing a flow of the at least two of the respective solvents during the flowing of the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and 
 (iii) finally flowing a remainder of the predetermined amount of the at least two of the respective solvents. 
 
 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32 ,
 further comprising, in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, flowing a second predetermined amount of one of the respective solvents from the at least two solvent reservoirs to the mixing chamber to form the fluid mixture. 
 
     
     
       34. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:
 a plurality of solvent reservoirs, each containing a respective solvent; 
 a plurality of ingredient reservoirs, each containing a respective ingredient; 
 two or more mixing channels, each of the two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to (a) a particular two or more of the plurality of solvent reservoirs, and (b) a respective one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense into a respective one of the two or more mixing channels; 
 a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the two or more mixing channels; 
 a dispenser fluidly connected to the mixing chamber; and 
 a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 receive a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, control operations of the fluid mixture dispensing system to produce the requested fluid mixture by:
 mixing, in the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture, (i) a respective predetermined amount of the respective solvents from each of the particular solvent reservoirs, and (ii) a respective predetermined amount of the respective ingredients from each of one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 flowing, to the mixing chamber and then to the dispenser, the intermediate fluid mixture, wherein the fluid mixture comprises the intermediate fluid mixture; and 
 dispensing the fluid mixture via the dispenser; 
 wherein the respective predetermined amount of the respective solvents from each of the particular solvent reservoirs are combined in a fluid path between the particular solvent reservoirs and the two or more mixing channels. 
 
 
 
     
     
       35. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:
 a plurality of solvent reservoirs, each containing a respective solvent; 
 a plurality of ingredient reservoirs, each containing a respective ingredient; 
 two or more mixing channels, each of the two or more mixing channels fluidly connected to (a) a particular two or more of the plurality of solvent reservoirs, and (b) a respective one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense into a respective one of the two or more mixing channels; 
 a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the two or more mixing channels; 
 a dispenser fluidly connected to the mixing chamber; and 
 a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to:
 receive a request for a fluid mixture; and 
 in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, control operations of the fluid mixture dispensing system to produce the requested fluid mixture by:
 mixing, in the two or more mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture, (i) a respective predetermined amount of the respective solvents from each of the particular solvent reservoirs, and (ii) a respective predetermined amount of the respective ingredients from each of one or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; 
 flowing, to the mixing chamber and then to the dispenser, the intermediate fluid mixture, wherein the fluid mixture comprises the intermediate fluid mixture; and 
 dispensing the fluid mixture via the dispenser; 
 wherein the respective predetermined amount of the respective solvents is provided in a flow, and wherein the flow comprises: 
 an initial flow of some of the predetermined amount of the respective solvents; 
 a pause in the flow of the respective solvents to receive the predetermined amount of the respective ingredients; and 
 a final flow of a remainder of the predetermined amount of the respective solvents. 
 
 
 
     
     
       36. The fluid mixture dispensing system of  claim 35 ,
 wherein the controller is further programmed, in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, to control operations of the fluid mixture dispensing system to produce the requested fluid mixture by flowing a second predetermined amount of at least one of the respective solvents from the plurality of solvent reservoirs to the mixing chamber.